Custom XP OEM CD + Transferring Windows XP Activation Info.

[2668-AV7]

There are two HOWTO docs to create a Customised XP CD.

- Tutorial - T60 Custom XP OEM CD by kf_man http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=38187
- XP Recovery Techniques by BillMorrow http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=30241

Before create your own customised XP CD according to above manuals, you may want to transfer Windows XP activation information (wpa.dbl file). I found this is very useful for me. Because after you've reinstall/reactivate Windows XP few times, you may not be able to reactivate it by yourself (call MS). Why not?

In summary,

1. Assume you are going to reinstall Windows XP on same machine.
2. Backup C:\Windows\System32\wpa.dbl file from your current Windows XP.
3. Create one customised XP CD.
4. Reinstall Windows XP using the customised XP CD.
5. Copy the wpa.dbl file back to C:\Windows\System32 (in SafeMode)

This way, you don't have to reactivate your machine. It works fine for me.

Refer to http://netsecurity.about.com/od/windows ... xp0829.htm

// I couldn't find a way to add this info to HOWTO docs so I leave it here for other users.